February  2006

Barrel Racing: Getting Involved Part 1
by Doreen Shumpert with Carol Ellis... 8
Alternative Therapies by Doug Thal, DVM.. 10
Focus on Mules by Sophia Sarember... 12
The Ten Most Requested Gifts for the Equestrian
by Heather Christina Fleming .. 14
Winterizing Your Horse by Kathy G. O’Neal... 16
Fall Problems: Unhealthy Edibles by Heather Smith Thomas... 18

d e p a r t m e n t s
NM Quarter Horse Association Newsletter . . . . . . . . 22
Stallion Showcase  . . . . . . . . . . . 20
News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Breeders Directory. . . . . . . . . . . .33
Instructor/Trainer Directory . . . . .32
Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . 47
Equestrian Property . . . . . . . . . . .55
Classified Advertising/Subscription Information. . . . . 62

Tips for Tack


One-Ear Headstalls
When selecting ready made one-ear headstalls, my favorite is the latigo “slit-ear” style. With this style bridle, the ear slit can be cut longer to better fit a mule without drastically changing the appearance of the headstall. First, I punch a hole
in the leather at the point where I want the slit to end after it is enlarged. Then, I cut the leather starting at the of the existing slit and go toward the punched hole. Using this method I avoid accidentally cutting the slit too large and ruining the headstall. Another clever method of alteration is to disassembled a regular browband, on a browband style headstall, and then use the leather or nylon to make a mule-sized “sliding one-ear” piece. The “shaped-ear” style, one-ear headstalls, are almost impossible to alter and make them fit correctly, so I avoid purchasing this style.

Throat Latches
On occasion, a throat latch (or separately purchased replacement throat latch) may be long enough on a store-bought headstall. However, that is not usually the case. As a result, I usually extend the throat latch. To alter the throat latch I first remove the buckle, then I sew on another piece of leather or nylon to that end of the latch. Finally, I replace the buckle on the new extension. When I buckle up the throat latch the extension will be covered up with the bight of the throat latch strap and so go unnoticed.

English Bridles
English style bridle parts can often be purchased separately. This makes it easy for me to construct a custom fit. For example, on an average sized (1,000-pound) saddle-mule, I purchase the crown/cheek unit and cheek pieces in “full” size. Then, I buy a larger brown band in “oversize.” Many styles of English nosebands are also offered in the complete range of sizes: pony, cob, full, oversize and draft (or extra large). Often the throat latches are of correct length, if not, I alter them as described above. 
  English Bridles styled for gaited equines are sometimes constructed similarly to Western headstalls. However, the fancy colored browbands are usually sold separately. In this case I use a Foxtrotter browband, instead of a Saddlebred or Tennessee Walker browband. Foxtrotter browbands are an inch longer than other styles and fit a mule better. These style browbands can be made up in custom colors from World Champion Horse Equipment in Shelbyville, TN.
  When it comes to English reins, some muleteers find that laced, braided,
web with hand-stops, or rubber reins, slick the hair off the side of the mule’s
neck. This is simply due to the genetics and nature of mule hair. Mule hair is
softer and sometimes less abrasive resistant than a horse’s. I like to use only
plain reins on English bridles and then I use non-slip riding gloves, such as the
type that have rubber-pimpled palms and fingers, if I need the extra grip.


Next month: Getting your bridle or headstall past those long ears

Sophia Sarember is a trainer, writer, and “muleteer” living in Edgewood, NM. She can be reached at Mulegal@aol.com.